Clutch purses tend to be glitzy affairs, crafted from satin and studded with crystals. Latico has dressed down these popular purses to create the Bettina, a cute clutch for daytime wear.

It might be a casual accessory, but the Bettina doesn’t skimp on style. A leather belt with gleaming silver ring hardware gives the purse a contemporary look, while the smooth black leather offers timeless appeal.

The slim profile adds to the Bettina’s chic uptown style, but it does limit storage space. Checkbooks, compacts, and credit cards will easily fit inside, but there’s no room for luxuries or bulky items.

Practicality isn’t completely forgotten though. This Latico purse comes with a removable strap, so you can wear as a wristlet or carry it as a traditional clutch. It might not suit the red carpet, but the Bettina’s everyday style makes the $49 retail price seem like a bargain.

More Features of This Latico Belted Purse

• Zip top closure with a tasseled zippered pull
• Floral print lining
• Measures 5 x 10.5 x 1 inches
• Made in India

Get This Latico Bettina Clutch on eBay

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• Click here to find this Latico leather purse at Endless
• All Latico bags on eBay

Louis Vuitton has been customizing its suitcases for the rich and famous for the last 150 years. Now the iconic fashion house will offer their personalized products to the masses with the release of its Mon Monogram range.

Bagistas can buy personalized versions of the classic and business Speedy bags and Pegase 55 suitcases. The customized handbags will feature three two-tone letters and two complementary diagonal straps. Customers can choose from 17 colors, so there are plenty of possible combinations.

Louis Vuitton stores will show customers digital versions of their personalized accessories instantly. Once it gets the seal of approval, the design will be sent to the label’s artesans who’ll prepare the customized purse in six weeks.

Prices range from $970 for the Speedy 25 to $3860 for the Pegase 55 Business. It’s not exactly cheap, but it’s about what I’d expect to pay for a one-of-a-kind Louis Vuitton accessory.

[Source: View on Fashion]

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bags on eBay

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Cleopatra is one of history’s most revered figures: powerful, sexy, and devastatingly beautiful. To name a handbag after this iconic Egyptian ruler sets high expectations, which this Kathy Van Zeeland satchel struggles to live up to.

The Cleopatra gets its name from the pyramid studs which dot the synthetic finish. The studs are large and abundant, giving the purse the excess we expect from Kathy Van Zeeland. This flamboyance is bound to turn off some bagistas, but Kathy fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

The casual punk rock style is backed up by a practical design. The generous size is supported by a host of organizational features. They start before you even open the Cleopatra up, with two side pockets, complete with zippered pouches. Another inbuilt zippered pouch gives the front flap added functionality. The features don’t stop there, with a zippered pocket, two slide compartments, and a cell phone slip all hidden inside.

The Cleopatra has its style quirks and it packs a practical punch, but it’s not so different from many other Kathy Van Zeeland purses. Carrying it will make a definite statement, but not one that matches the handbag’s royal pedigree.

More Features of This Kathy Van Zeeland Flap Satchel

• Synthetic upper
• Snap closure
• Fully lined interior
• Dual shoulder straps
• Measures 16 x 4 x 10 inches
• Weighs 1 pounds
• Available in metallic bone, peach, grass green, and oak brown

Get This Kathy Van Zeeland Cleopatra Bag on eBay

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• Click here to find this Kathy Van Zeeland pyramid studded purse at Amazon
• All Kathy Van Zeeland handbags on eBay

It’s a sign of the times. Yet another luxury brand is dealing with negative numbers when it comes to sales.

Well-known couture apparel and handbag designer Christian Lacroix has filed for bankruptcy following a recent 35% downturn in fall/winter sales. It makes one wonder how long any of these high-end companies, like Valentino or Versace, can make it while shoppers are having to be frugal and cut out things like $1,200 clutch bags.

“Our intent is definitely a continuation of the business,” Nicolas Topiol, Lacroix’s chief executive officer, said in an interview before meeting with the firm’s 125 employees. “But the crisis has definitely hit us below the knees.”

Celebrities might continue to strut the Parisian designer’s gorgeous looks on the red carpet, but it doesn’t sound like many fashionistas are heading to Christian Lacroix boutiques to spend money on his items. Could this be the beginning of the end for the design house, or just a bump in the road?

[Source: WWD]
[Image: viakali/Flickr]

Christian Lacroix Handbags on eBay

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Tooled leather is a massive trend this summer. For vintage aficionados this is a blessing, a chance to drag their sexy retro belts and sturdy leather handbags out of fashion hibernation. Vintage style satchels and cross body purses such as this are just begging to be used and loved.

An eternal look that crosses so many generations and trends, this American West satchel is perfect to let you hit the ground with your vintage feet running. Carved out of a thick chestnut cowhide leather, this bag pays homage to traditional style and craftsmanship, even with studs to add to the on-trend theme.

To give you an idea of the durability of luxury leather and delicate floral tooling, this satchel even comes with a lifetime guarantee. Now that is a rare feature amongst the notoriously short lived handbag crowd!

Satchels are endlessly associated with functionality, and thankfully this chunky feminine purse doesn’t let us down. The straps may be too short to allow cross body slinging, but they are strong enough to hold the weight of most belongings.

This is definitely a chance to buy an antique of the future. The vintage of tomorrow!

More Features of this American West Satchel

• Lifetime guarantee
• Matching accessories available
• Tooled vintage style
• 2 interior pouches
• Snap closure

See More Vintage Satchels on eBay

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Also See

• Click here to see this handcrafted shoulder bag on Amazon
• Click here to see all American West handbags on eBay

While it may not be gracing the pages of Vogue any time soon, this Olive N Figs Turquoise Blue Hawaiin Handbag is a really cute pick for summer. It’s perfect for toting to a poolside bar or a backyard barbeque.

The Hawaiian floral print will never go out of style. It crops up every year to lure us into fantasies of the fabulous vacations we’ll be going on that summer. But they fit in just as well at any outdoor occasion like a pool party or dining alfresco, no matter where you live.

The teal, white and gold color scheme of this bag is a chic adaptation of the typically brasher colors of the traditionally “surf” style print. The gold threads and sequins work as an accent and give some of the blooms a jeweled look. The mix of large and small flowers allows the one large turquoise bloom to really stand out.

Jute is a nice fabrication choice for this bag, and offers some structure to the silhouette. While the tote probably isn’t big enough for a beach bag, you could definitely throw some sunscreen in here with your essentials to run to the park.

More Details About The Olive N Figs Turquoise Blue Hawaiian Handbag

• Measures 11 x 5 x 8 inches
• Biodegradable jute

Find More Floral Handbags on eBay

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Also See

• Click here to buy the Olive N Figs Turquoise Blue Hawaiin Handbag on Amazon
• Click here to see more summer handbags on eBay

Stella McCartney always puts an edgy downtown twist on her designs. Not so edgy that she doesn’t have an uptown audience, though. Usually she walks a very thin line between classic and punk rock.

But on this clutch, I’m not sure the design is classy or edgy. The patent leather is sleek and high quality, but the rivet details that are supposed to pass as rock-n-roll just look terribly terribly cheap. It’s not just the rivets themselves, either; it’s what they do to the patent leather. I’m not sure if they’ve just been shoddily attached, but the material puckers up around them in a way that looks anything but classy.

To be honest, I am really disappointed, I expect a lot more from Stella McCartney, and certainly expect more from any bag that costs $725. The 12″ x 7″ x 2″ dimensions are very of-the-moment, large, and the flap front has a magnetic closure. It’s a very convenient size and decently organized if you like the look of it, but personally, I’ll be waiting for something better to come around.

More Features Of The Stella McCartney Rivet Detail Clutch

• Goldtone hardware
• Logo embossed metal tag
• Fully lined

Black Patent Clutch Purses on eBay

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Also See

• Click here to see more from the 770 Buttercup store on eBay
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Drawstring totes can be considered mainstays of casual handbag fashion. They come in all shapes, sizes, prices, and textures ranging from the affordable patent Jessica Simpson Extra Extra to the popular designer Botkier James Satchel.

Because of the abundance this type of bag, I can’t really call the Elliott Lucca Aruba a unique design. However, it is a lovely version of the commonly seen style. The Aruba’s details make it a little more elegant than some.

The pebbled leather is crafted into a relaxed, slightly slouchy shape enhanced by its ruched base. Of course, the main attraction here is the drawstring that weaves through the top grommet holes of the bag. What I like best about it is the braided texture, which is repeated in the double handles.

The pinkish lilac is nicely complemented by silver-toned hardware. The metallic touches are seen on the drawstring’s grommet holes, the o-shaped handle rings, and the similarly shaped rings on the drawstring ends. An engraved silver plate displays the Elliott Lucca logo on the front.

More Features of the Aruba Drawstring Tote

• Measures 17 x 11 x 5 inches
• Double braided handles with 9 inch drop
• Magnetic snap closure
• Retail price of $198

Elliott Lucca Aruba Bags on eBay

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• Get this lilac Aruba tote on Amazon
• Click here to search more Elliott Lucca handbags on eBay

Following on from her popular retrospectives Vintage Fashion, Vintage Furniture, and Vintage Shoes comes fashion expert Marnie Fogg’s latest coffee table compendium, Vintage Handbags.

This beautiful book spans 100 years of handbag fashions, showcasing iconic styles from fashion’s golden ages. It documents the key designers, technical developments, and cultural influences which shaped handbag design in each decade. See Elsa Schiaparelli’s mesh bags for Whiting & Davis in the 1920s, Hermès Kelly bag from the 1950s, through the modern masterpieces like the Fendi baguette.

There are plenty of full-color photographs for us to drool over, including archive images, fashion photos, and specially commissioned shots of period pieces.

Vintage Handbags gets an extra dose of cred with a foreword by acclaimed designer Anya Hindmarch.

Vintage Handbags will be released in September through Carlton Books. The price is yet to be determined, but you can sign up for on-sale notification through Amazon.

[Source: Amazon]

Vintage Handbags on eBay

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Some say fashion should be fabulous, frivolous, and fun. Sure there’s a place for practicality, but if you want to really make a statement you need something as outrageous as this Judith Leiber minaudiere.

It’s carefully crafted to look like foo dog, one of the ancient Chinese pups resembling a guardian lion. His brilliantly colored body is studded with red rubies, green emeralds, purple amethysts, and clear and gold Swarovski crystals. His eyes are just as precious; they’re shiny black onyx stones.

As you can imagine, all those glittering gems don’t come cheap. You’re looking at a whopping $5495 to take this baby home. If you’re still on board, you may want to think about the storage space.

In short, there is none. Sure, it opens up to reveal a luxurious gold leather lined space, but what exactly are you going to put in it? The lumps and bumps of the dog shape make it virtually impossible to store even the essentials inside. You’ll need Tetris-inspired packing skills to carry even the coin purse, comb and swivel mirror it came with!

But if you can wear the price, and handle the inconvenience, you’re going to sparkle carrying this Judith Leiber cutie!

More Features of This Judith Leiber Foo Dog Purse

• Ball pushlock closure
• A tuckaway chain strap with a 19 inch drop
• Measures 6 x 4 x 4 inches
• Comes with a dust bag

Judith Leiber Dog Minaudieres on eBay

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Also See

• Click here to see more from the Reckless Women store on eBay – A Judith Leiber Handbags Retailer
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